Non-slip reversible furniture protector

ABSTRACT

A protector, which is for covering a furniture piece having a seat and optionally having a seat cushion and a back with forward and rearward back surfaces, includes a seat panel having a top end portion and covering a portion of the seat or cushion. The protector may include a back panel having a lower portion attached to the top end portion of the seat panel and having a rearward portion covering a portion of the rearward back surface. An edge portion extends parallel to and inwardly of a portion of a perimeter encircling the protector. A seat-securing elastic band includes an anchor end attached at an anchor site and a free end with a button. The elastic band extends from the anchor site, beneath the seat or the seat cushion, to a button hole on an opposite side of a central axis and downwardly from the lower anchor site.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/624,232, filed Jan. 31, 2018. The contents of the provisional application are hereby incorporated into this application by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to furniture protectors and, more particularly, to a furniture protector having an improved anchoring system compatible with a reversible furniture protector for an upholstered sofa, love seat, chair, or similar piece of furniture.

Furniture protectors for pieces of upholstered furniture such as love seats, sofas, upholstered chairs, and the like (any one of which is referenced herein as a “furniture piece”) are commonly available.

Certain embodiments of the present furniture protector are better suited to use as a reversible protector than are the furniture protectors of the prior art. In certain embodiments of the present furniture protector, the furniture protector is secured using seat-securing elastic bands, and in certain embodiments, back-securing elastic bands, with each elastic band having a fixed end preferably attached to an edge portion of the furniture protector, and a free end portion secured by a button to one of several attachment points provided by button holes. As a result, the elastic bands present in certain preferred embodiments of the present furniture protector are visible to the user to essentially the same degree regardless of which face of the furniture protector is oriented outwardly. This configuration is advantageous for a reversible furniture protector.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a furniture protector for mounting upon a furniture piece having a seat with a seat cushion, and a back with a forward back surface and a rearward back surface. The furniture protector comprises a seat panel having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, a left portion, and a right portion. The seat panel is dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the seat cushion of the furniture piece. A back panel has a lower-back-panel portion attached to the top end portion of the seat panel. The back panel is dimensioned to extend upwardly over the forward back surface of the furniture piece and cover a portion of the rearward back surface of the furniture piece, with a rearward portion of the back panel covering the rearward back surface of the furniture piece. A perimeter encircles the furniture protector, and an edge portion extends parallel to and inwardly of at least a portion of the perimeter. A first seat-securing elastic band includes a first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the lower-back-panel portion at a first seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion. A first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion has a first lower button attached thereto. A first seat-securing button hole is disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, from the first seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the first seat-securing anchor site. The first seat-securing button hole is configured to engage the first lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel. The first seat-securing elastic band is adapted to extend from the first seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat cushion, to the first seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece.

Briefly stated, another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a furniture protector for mounting upon a furniture piece having a seat with a seat cushion, a right arm, a left arm, and a back with a forward back surface and a rearward back surface. The furniture protector comprises a seat panel having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, a left portion, and a right portion. The seat panel is dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the seat cushion of the furniture piece. A back panel has a lower-back-panel portion attached to the top end portion of the seat panel. The back panel is dimensioned to extend upwardly over the forward back surface of the furniture piece and cover a portion of the rearward back surface of the furniture piece, with a rearward portion of the back panel covering the rearward back surface of the furniture piece. A first arm panel is attached to the left portion of the seat panel, and a second arm panel is attached to the right portion of the seat panel. A perimeter encircles the furniture protector, and an edge portion extends parallel to and inwardly of at least a portion of the perimeter. A first seat-securing elastic band includes a first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the lower-back-panel portion at a first seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion. A first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion has a first lower button attached thereto. A first seat-securing button hole is disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, from the first seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the first seat-securing anchor site. The first seat-securing button hole is configured to engage the first lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel. The first seat-securing elastic band is adapted to extend from the first seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat cushion, to the first seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece.

Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a furniture protector for mounting upon a furniture piece having a seat. The furniture protector comprises a seat panel having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, a left portion, and a right portion. The seat panel is dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the seat. A perimeter encircles the furniture protector, and an edge portion extends parallel to and inwardly of at least a portion of the perimeter. A first seat-securing elastic band includes a first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to a first seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion extending parallel to the top end portion. A first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion has a first lower button attached thereto. A first seat-securing button hole is disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector from the first seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the first seat-securing anchor site. The first seat-securing button hole is configured to engage the first lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel. The first seat-securing elastic band is adapted to extend from the first seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat, to the first seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the furniture protector, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a furniture protector according to a preferred embodiment of the present furniture protector, laid out on a flat surface;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the furniture protector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a magnified partial front elevational view of the furniture protector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the furniture protector of FIG. 1, shown in a mounted configuration on a love seat;

FIG. 4A is a partial left side elevational view of the furniture protector and love seat of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 5 is an alternative-position partial view of FIG. 3, with the cushions of the love seat lifted to show the attachment of the furniture protector thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inner” and “outer” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an example of a furniture protector 10 is illustrated. The furniture protector 10 has a first face 12, an opposite second face 14, a perimeter 16, and a central axis 18 extending along a central portion extending roughly down the horizontal center of the furniture protector 10. In FIGS. 4, 4A, and 5, the furniture protector 10 is shown mounted on a furniture piece 100 having a seat 101, two seat cushions 102, arms 106, 108, and a back 110 with a forward back surface 112 and a rearward back surface 114. The furniture protector 10 may be dimensioned to fit a variety of furniture pieces such as chairs, love seats, sofas, and the like, which may have one or more seat cushions. The furniture protector 10 may include a seat panel 20. The seat panel 20 may have a top end portion 20 a, a left portion 20 b, a right portion 20 c, and a bottom end portion 20 d and may be dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the seat 101 or the seat cushion(s) 102. A back panel 30 may be attached to the top end portion 20 a and may have a lower-back-panel portion 30 a, which may be attached to the top end portion 20 a of the seat panel 20. The back panel 30 may also have a rearward portion 30 b covering at least a portion of the rearward back surface 114 of the furniture piece 100, as further discussed below.

The furniture protector 10 may include first and second arm panels 40, 50 attached to the left portion 20 b and the right portion 20 c of the seat panel 20, respectively. The seat panel 20, back panel 30, and first and second arm panels 40, 50 may be cut from a single portion of material or may be formed by fastening together a plurality of smaller portions of material at the boundaries (for example, at seams 26, as shown).

An edge portion 22 may extend parallel to and inwardly of at least a portion of the perimeter 16 of the furniture protector 10; as shown, the edge portion 22 (the boundaries of which are demarcated by dashed lines in FIGS. 1-3) may extend parallel to and inwardly from the entire perimeter 16 or may encircle a continuous portion of the perimeter 16 or a plurality of discontinuous portions thereof. The edge portion 22 may comprise layers of a relatively thin fabric surrounding the thicker fabric of the remainder of the furniture protector 10. Spaced apart button holes 24, 25, 36, 37, which will be discussed further below, may be located within the edge portion 22, or may be located medially from and near the edge portion 22, and may be located within about 2 inches thereof.

The seat panel 20, back panel 30, first arm panel 40, and second arm panel 50 may be made of sturdy fabric or other upholstery material as known in the art, which may include a quilted fabric or a plurality of layers of fabric providing the surface characteristics, padding characteristics, weight, and other properties desired.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the furniture protector 10 may include at least one, and may include first and second back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′. The first and second back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′ each may have a back-securing-elastic-band anchor end 32 a, 32 a′ attached to the back panel 30 at an back-securing anchor site 30 c, 30 c′ lying within the edge portion 22 and within the lower-back-panel portion 30 a, and an opposite, back-securing-elastic-band free end portion 32 b, 32 b′ with first and second upper buttons 34, 34′ attached respectively thereto. The back-securing anchor sites 30 c, 30 c′ may or may not differ from the surrounding fabric and simply refer to the point of attachment of the back-securing-elastic-band anchor ends 32 a, 32 a′. Each back-securing elastic band 32, 32′ may have a cross-sectional shape that is flat, but the cross section also may be round or of any other suitable shape. Each back-securing elastic band 32, 32′ may be about 12 inches in length, with each back-securing-elastic-band anchor end 32 a, 32 a′ being attached to the lower-back-panel portion 30 a at the back-securing anchor sites 30 c, 30 c′, which may be located between about 6 inches and about 2 inches above the boundary (shown as seam 26) between the seat panel 20 and the lower-back-panel portion 30 a, with a location about 2 inches above the seam 26 being advantageous as a low-visibility location. Where there is no seam 26 between the seat panel 20 and the back panel 30, the boundary may lie where the portion of the back panel 30 extending from the top end portion 20 a of the seat panel 20 meets the top end portion 20 a. The back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′ may be formed from or covered with a fabric matching the fabric or other material from which the seat panel 20, back panel 30, first arm panel 40, and second arm panel 50 are formed. The length of each back-securing elastic band 32, 32′ is preferably selected for compatibility with the dimensions of the furniture piece 100; other factors affecting the selected length may include the elasticity of the back-securing elastic band 32, 32′ and the desired tension in the back-securing elastic band 32, 32′ when the furniture protector is in place on the furniture piece 100 (with each of the first and second upper buttons 34, 34′ of the back-securing elastic band 32, 32′ engaged with one of the corresponding button holes 24, 25). Also located on the back panel 30, preferably on each side of the central axis 18, and in some embodiments at a plurality of locations (three on each side are shown) within the rearward portion 30 b, preferably beginning about 23 inches above the first end portion 32 a attached to the back panel 30, measured with the furniture protector 10 laid flat as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be at least one, and in some embodiments a plurality of back-securing button holes 24 and alternative back-securing button holes 25 compatible with the first or second upper buttons 34, 34′ of the back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′ on the same side of the central axis 18 of furniture protector 10. The back-securing button holes 24 and alternative back-securing button holes 25 allow the furniture protector 10 to accommodate differing dimensions of the back 110 of the furniture piece 100. The back-securing button holes 24 and the alternative back-securing button holes 25 may be located within the edge portion 22 of the rearward portion 30 b of the back panel 30 but may also be located medially from and near to the edge portion 22—for example, within about 1 inch of the edge portion 22. The furniture protector 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is an embodiment including pairs of back-securing button holes 24 and alternative back-securing button holes 25, with one back-securing button hole 24 of each pair located within the edge portion 22 and one alternative back-securing button hole 25 of each pair located medially from and near to the edge portion 22. In practice, it is preferred for the button holes 24, 25 of the furniture protector 10 to be located either within the edge portion 22 or medially from the edge portion 22. Typically the furniture protector 10 will not have button holes 24, 25 both within the edge portion 22 and medially of the edge portion 22. In certain embodiments, the arm panels 40 and 50 may be omitted. In certain embodiments, the first and second back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′ and the button holes 24, 25 may be omitted. In certain embodiments, the back panel 30, the first and second back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′, and the button holes 24, 25 may be omitted.

The furniture protector 10 also may have either one or first and second seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′. Each seat-securing elastic band 28, 28′ may have a seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end 28 a, 28 a′ attached at a seat-securing anchor site 30 d, 30 d′ to the edge portion 22 of the back panel 30. The seat-securing anchor sites 30 d, 30 d′ may or may not differ from the surrounding fabric and simply refer to the point of attachment of the back-securing-elastic-band anchor ends 32 a, 32 a′. The seat-securing anchor sites 30 d, 30 d′, may be located within about 1 to 2 inches of the lower-back-panel portion 30 a (which lies just above the seam 26 or other boundary as described above) near the intersection of the seat panel 20 and the back panel 30. Each first and second seat-securing elastic band 28, 28′ may also have a respective first or second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion 28 b, 28 b′ with a respective first or second lower button 35, 35′ attached thereto. Each seat-securing elastic band 28, 28′ may have a cross-sectional shape that is preferably flat but also may be round or of any other suitable shape. In one embodiment, the furniture protector 10 for the furniture piece 100, which in the embodiment shown is a love seat having the seat 101 and seat cushions 102, may have seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′. The length of each seat-securing elastic band 28, 28′ may be selected for compatibility with the dimensions of the furniture piece 100 and the seat cushions 102 thereof, and may be selected based on the elasticity of the seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′ and the desired tension in the seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′ when the furniture protector is in place on the furniture piece 100, with the first and second lower buttons 35, 35′ of the seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′ engaged with a corresponding seat-securing button hole 36 or an alternative seat-securing button hole 37 as further described below.

Located on the seat panel 20, on each side thereof, below each seat-securing anchor site 30 d, 30 d′, and in the embodiment shown, below each of the first arm panel 40 and the second arm panel 50, and preferably within, or medially from and near to, the edge portion 22, is a seat-securing button hole 36 compatible with the first and second lower buttons 35, 35′ of the seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′. The seat-securing button holes 36 for engaging the seat-securing elastic band 28, 28′ may be located within the edge portion 22 of the back panel 30 or may be located medially of and near to the edge portion 22. As noted above, the furniture protector 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is an embodiment including seat-securing button holes 36 located within the edge portion 22 and alternative seat-securing button holes 37 located medially from and near to the edge portion 22. In practice, it is preferred for the seat-securing button holes 36 and alternative seat-securing button holes 37 of the furniture protector 10 to be located either within the edge portion 22 or medially from and near to the edge portion 22. Typically the furniture protector 10 will not have seat-securing button holes 36 and alternative seat-securing button holes 37 both within the edge portion 22 and medially of the edge portion 22. In embodiments lacking a back panel 30, the perimeter runs along the top end portion 20 a of the seat panel 20, and an edge portion is found at the same location, with the seat-securing anchor sites 30 d, 30 d′ located therein; in such embodiments, the seat-securing button holes 36 or alternative seat-securing button holes 37 may be located in the edge portion 22 within the bottom end portion 20 d of the seat panel 20, about 4 inches medially from the left portion 20 a and the right portion 20 b of the seat panel 20.

In use, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the furniture protector 10 is placed upon and attached to the furniture piece 100. The seat panel 20 is placed upon the seat cushions 102. Each seat-securing elastic band 28, 28′ is stretched beneath the seat cushions 102 and attached to one of the seat-securing button holes 36 or one of the alternative seat-securing button holes 37 located downwardly from the first arm panel 40 or the second arm panel 50, on the opposite side of the central axis 18 of the furniture protector 10 from the seat-securing anchor site 30 d, 30 d′. Referring to FIG. 5, where, as is typical, two seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′ are present, the seat-securing elastic bands 28 lie crosswise with respect to each other beneath the seat cushions 102. The first arm panel 40 and the second panel 50 are draped over the arms 106, 108 of the furniture piece 100. The back panel 30 is draped over the back 110 of the furniture piece 100, and the first or second upper button 34, 34′ of each back-securing elastic band 32, 32′ is engaged with a selected one of the first back-securing button holes 24 or alternative back-securing button holes 25 on the same side (left or right of the central axis 18) of the back panel 30. In some embodiments, the relative vertical positions of the back-securing anchor sites 30 c, 30 c′ and the seat-securing anchor sites 30 d, 30 d′ may be reversed from the relative positions shown in the drawings.

An advantage of the furniture protector may arise from the placement of the seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′ and the back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′ and the anchoring of the elastic bands 28, 28′, 32, 32′ to the edge portion 22 of the furniture protector 10. The advantage may be that the seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′ may be only minimally visible to the user, and the seat-securing elastic bands 28, 28′ and the back-securing elastic bands 32, 32′ may be visible to the user to essentially the same degree regardless of whether the first face 12 or the second face 14 is oriented outwardly from the furniture piece 100. As a result, the furniture protector 10 is well suited to being used reversibly, so that either the first face 12 or the second face 14 may be oriented outwardly from the furniture piece 100.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A furniture protector adapted for mounting upon a furniture piece having a seat with a seat cushion, and a back with a forward back surface and a rearward back surface, the furniture protector comprising: a seat panel having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, a left portion, and a right portion and dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the seat cushion of the furniture piece; a back panel having a lower-back-panel portion attached to the top end portion of the seat panel, the back panel being dimensioned to extend upwardly over the forward back surface of the furniture piece and cover a portion of the rearward back surface of the furniture piece, a rearward portion of the back panel covering the rearward back surface of the furniture piece; a perimeter encircling the furniture protector; an edge portion extending parallel to and inwardly of at least a portion of the perimeter; a first seat-securing elastic band including a first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the lower-back-panel portion at a first seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and a first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first lower button attached thereto; and a first seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, from the first seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the first seat-securing anchor site, the first seat-securing button hole being configured to engage the first lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing elastic band being adapted to extend from the first seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat cushion, to the first seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece.
 2. The furniture protector according to claim 1, further comprising: a second seat-securing elastic band including a second seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel at a second seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion and on an opposite horizontal side of the furniture protector from the first seat-securing anchor site, and a second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a second lower button attached thereto; a second seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, from the second seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the second seat-securing anchor site, the second seat-securing button hole being configured to engage the second lower button to secure the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the second seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece, the second seat-securing elastic band being adapted to extend from the second seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat cushion, to the second seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece, and the first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor site, the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion, the second seat-securing-elastic-band anchor site, and the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion being disposed so that the when the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion and the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion are secured to the seat panel, the first seat-securing elastic band is oriented crosswise to the second seat-securing elastic band.
 3. The furniture protector according to claim 1, further comprising: an alternative seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on the seat panel and configured to engage the lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing button hole and the alternative first seat-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band.
 4. The furniture protector according to claim 2, further comprising: an alternative seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on the seat panel and configured to engage the lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing button hole and the alternative first seat-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band.
 5. The furniture protector according to claim 1, further comprising: a first back-securing elastic band including a first back-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to an back-securing anchor site on the back panel within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and an opposite, first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first upper button attached thereto; and a first back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first back-securing elastic band to the back panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the back of the furniture piece.
 6. The furniture protector according to claim 5, further comprising: a first alternative back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the back-securing button hole and the alternative back-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band.
 7. The furniture protector according to claim 2, further comprising: a first back-securing elastic band including a first back-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and an opposite, first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first upper button attached thereto; and a first back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first back-securing elastic band to the back panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the back of the furniture piece.
 8. The furniture protector according to claim 7, further comprising: a first alternative back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the back-securing button hole and the alternative back-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band.
 9. The furniture protector according to claim 3, further comprising: a first back-securing elastic band including a first back-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and an opposite, first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first upper button attached thereto; and a first back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first back-securing elastic band to the back panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the back of the furniture piece.
 10. The furniture protector according to claim 9, further comprising: a first alternative back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the back-securing button hole and the alternative back-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band.
 11. The furniture protector according to claim 4, further comprising: a first back-securing elastic band including a first back-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and an opposite, first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first upper button attached thereto; and a first back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first back-securing elastic band to the back panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the back of the furniture piece.
 12. The furniture protector according to claim 11, further comprising: a first alternative back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the back-securing button hole and the alternative back-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band.
 13. A furniture protector adapted for mounting upon a furniture piece having a seat with a seat cushion, a right arm, a left arm, and a back with a forward back surface and a rearward back surface, the furniture protector comprising: a seat panel having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, a left portion, and a right portion and dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the seat of the furniture piece; a back panel having a lower-back-panel portion attached to the top end portion of the seat panel, the back panel being dimensioned to extend upwardly over the forward back surface of the furniture piece and cover a portion of the rearward back surface of the furniture piece, a rearward portion of the back panel covering the rearward back surface of the furniture piece; a first arm panel attached to the left portion of the seat panel; a second arm panel attached to the right portion of the seat panel; a perimeter encircling the furniture protector; an edge portion extending parallel to and inwardly of at least a portion of the perimeter; a first seat-securing elastic band including a first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the lower-back-panel portion at a first seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and a first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first lower button attached thereto; and a first seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, and downwardly from the first seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from at least one of the right arm panel and the left arm panel, the first seat-securing button hole being configured to engage the first lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing elastic band being adapted to extend from the first seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat cushion, to the first seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece.
 14. The furniture protector according to claim 13, further comprising: a second seat-securing elastic band including a second seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel at a second seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion and on an opposite horizontal side of the furniture protector from the first seat-securing anchor site, and a second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a second lower button attached thereto; a second seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, from the second seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the second seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from at least one of the right arm panel and the left arm panel, the second seat-securing button hole being configured to engage the second lower button to secure the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the second seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece, the second seat-securing elastic band being adapted to extend from the second seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat cushion, to the second seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat cushion of the furniture piece, and the first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor site, the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion, the second seat-securing-elastic-band anchor site, and the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion being disposed so that the when the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion and the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion are secured to the seat panel, the first seat-securing elastic band is oriented crosswise to the second seat-securing elastic band.
 15. The furniture protector according to claim 13, further comprising: an alternative seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on the seat panel and configured to engage the lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing button hole and the alternative first seat-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band.
 16. The furniture protector according to claim 14, further comprising: an alternative seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on the seat panel and configured to engage the lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing button hole and the alternative first seat-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band.
 17. The furniture protector according to claim 13, further comprising: a first back-securing elastic band including a first back-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and an opposite, first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first upper button attached thereto; and a first back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first back-securing elastic band to the back panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the back of the furniture piece.
 18. The furniture protector according to claim 17, further comprising: a first alternative back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the back-securing button hole and the alternative back-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band.
 19. The furniture protector according to claim 14, further comprising: a first back-securing elastic band including a first back-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel within the edge portion and within the lower-back-panel portion, and an opposite, first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first upper button attached thereto; and a first back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first back-securing elastic band to the back panel, thereby securing the furniture protector to the back of the furniture piece.
 20. The furniture protector according to claim 19, further comprising: a first alternative back-securing button hole disposed on the rearward portion of the back panel and within the edge portion and configured to engage the first upper button to secure the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the back-securing button hole and the alternative back-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first back-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the back-securing elastic band.
 21. A furniture protector adapted for mounting upon a furniture piece having a seat, the furniture protector comprising: a seat panel having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, a left portion, and a right portion and dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the seat; a perimeter encircling the furniture protector; an edge portion extending parallel to and inwardly of at least a portion of the perimeter; a first seat-securing elastic band including a first seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to a first seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion extending parallel to the top end portion, and a first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a first lower button attached thereto; and a first seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, from the first seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the first seat-securing anchor site, the first seat-securing button hole being configured to engage the first lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing elastic band being adapted to extend from the first seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat, to the first seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat.
 22. The furniture protector according to claim 21, further comprising: a second seat-securing elastic band including a second seat-securing-elastic-band anchor end attached to the back panel at a second seat-securing anchor site within the edge portion extending parallel to the top end portion, on an opposite horizontal side of the furniture protector from the first seat-securing anchor site, and a second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion with a second lower button attached thereto; a second seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on an opposite side of the furniture protector from the second seat-securing anchor site, taken with respect to a central axis of the furniture protector, from the second seat-securing anchor site and downwardly from the second seat-securing anchor site, the second seat-securing button hole being configured to engage the second lower button to secure the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the second seat-securing elastic band to the seat, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat, the second seat-securing elastic band being adapted to extend from the second seat-securing anchor site, beneath the seat, to the second seat-securing button hole, thereby securing the furniture protector to the seat, and the first seat-securing anchor site, the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion, the second seat-securing anchor site, and the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion being disposed so that the when the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion and the second seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion are secured to the seat panel, the first seat-securing elastic band is oriented crosswise to the second seat-securing elastic band.
 23. The furniture protector according to claim 21, further comprising: an alternative seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on the seat panel and configured to engage the lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing button hole and the alternative first seat-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band.
 24. The furniture protector according to claim 22, further comprising: an alternative seat-securing button hole disposed within the edge portion and on the seat panel and configured to engage the lower button to secure the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band to the seat panel, the first seat-securing button hole and the alternative first seat-securing button hole providing alternative securing points for the first seat-securing-elastic-band free end portion of the first seat-securing elastic band. 